Refrigerating apparatus



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Patented Oct. 18, 1949 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Bicknell Hall, Boston, Mass., asslgnor to General Foods Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December '1, 1943, Serial No. 513,262

(Cl. (i2- 104) 12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to refrigeratlng or freezing apparatus of the type exemplied by the well known multiplate freezer or froster and comprising a vertical stack of horizontal refrigerated plates adapted to engage and refrigerate products between them, the plates being relatively separable for loading and unloading the products.

In such apparatus the power required to open and close the stack of plates may be supplied by manual eiort or by a suitable source of power such as an electric motor or hydraulic ram. In some cases the bottom plate is stationary and the top plate is lifted to open the stack, suitable connections being provided from plate to plate so that intermediate plates are lifted by the top plate. Hence in open position the intermediate plates are in eiect suspended from the top plate. After loading the plates descend by gravity or are pushed down by pressure on the top plate until they engage the interposed products, the connections between plates being such as to allow their relative approach to one another for this purpose. Examples of this type of apparatus are found in Birdseye and Hall U. S. Patent No. 1,822,123, dated September 8, 1931, and in the copending application of George W. Raye, Serial No. 493,657, filed July 6, 1943, for Refrigerating apparatus.

In another type of such apparatus which has been widely used, the top plate is stationary and the bottom plate is lifted until the product thereon engages and lifts the next upper plate and so on, thus closing the stack for freezing. After freezing, the stack is opened by lowering the bottom plate and allowing the intermediate plates to descend by gravity. In the open position, the intermediate plates are sometimes suspended from the top plate by suitable connections from plate to plate, a freezer of this type being shown in Greig U. S. Patent No. 2,232,383, issued February 18, 1941. Usually, however, connections between the plates have been avoided by allowing the plates to come to rest in their lowermost positions on xed stops carried by the frame of the machine.

The last mentioned method of supporting the plates in open position has Worked well in practice, but it has certain disadvantages. In the rst place, itis adapted only for use with a stack which is closed from the bottom, Whereas it is often desirable to open and close the stack from the top because the permissible height of the top loading station above the floor is limited by practical considerations and the location of power apparatus beneath the stack reduces the number of plates that can be used and likewise the capacity of the machine. Moreover, this supporting system requires guide bars or like vertical members adjacent the stack in which the stops must be xed accurately, increasing the material used,

the laborV required for manufacture and assembly, and the weight and production cost of the machine. Further the spacing of the plates in open position is fixed and the positions of the stops cannot readily be adjusted `to adapt the machine to freezing products of different thicknesses; hence rotatable guide bars with different series of stops must be used as in Hall Patent No. 2,283,923, issued May 26, 1942.

The above disadvantages with respect to xed spacing of the plates, production cost, etc., apply also to suspension connections between plates as heretofore proposed, such as lazy tongs, slotted links, sliding bolts and eyes, etc., but such sliding or rubbing connections are subject to additional disadvantages. For instance they are exposed to considerable wear, making it diiiicult to provide effective protection against rust. In addition operational difficulties arise due to accumulation of frost and ice which seriously interferes with the operation of the machine. Still further, with sliding connections such as links and bolts, errors in the spacing of the plates may occur due to ice, wear, or inaccurate manufacture and any such inaccuracy in the connections between two plates aiects the position of all lower plates, the errors being also cumulative throughout the stack. These additional disadvantages have militated against the use of the suspension method and in favor of the method exemplified by the Hall Patent No. 2,283,923 mentioned above.

@ne of the objects of the invention is to provide plate connections of the suspension type as explained above which obviate the aforementioned disadvantages arising from the accumulation of frost and ice.

Another object is to provide a plate suspension means which is simpler and easier to install than those heretofore used, resulting in a saving in cost.

Another object is to provide a plate suspension means such that errors in the spacing between plates do not aiect the position of other plates in the stack.

A further object is to provide plate suspension means such that the spacing of the plates of a stack can be readjusted conveniently whenever desired, for example, to accommodate products of different thicknesses.

A still further object is to provide plate suspension means which eliminate sliding or rubbing joints or connections.

Several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings,

anaemia Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a multiplate freezer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1, the upper part of the casing being removed: e

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of portions of several plates showing the suspension means between the plates;

Figs. 6 and 7 are details illustrating means for attaching the suspension members to the plates, Fig. 7 being a section on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of another type of multiplate freezer embodying the invention;

Fig. 9 is a side view of Fig. 8, parts of the casing being removed;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are detail views illustrating the suspension. means connecting the plates;

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail views of means for clamping the suspension members to the plates;

Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views showing another form of clamping means; and l Fig. 17 shows another type of suspension means"- The multiplate freezer illustrated in Figs. l, 2

of brackets 3 and the bottom plate being carried by a hydraulic ram 4. Fig. 1 shows the plates in the open position ready to receive products to 24 closed these suspension members fiex or bend intermediate their points of attachment due to the inherent flexibility of the wire ropes or cables, thus permitting the plates to approach one another to the closed position.

The clamping meansris preferably designed so as to control the direction of iiexure or bending of the'cables in such a way that the bends do not project between the plates. To accomplish this end the cables may be squeezed or compressed so as to produce a cross section which is elongated in a direction at right angles to the desired plane of fiexure. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1-7, it is desired that the bends lie in planes parallel to the end faces of the stack of plates and preferably project toward the adjacent corners of the stack. One form of clamping means suitable for these purposes is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The clamps II are secured in any suitable manner as by welding to the spacer bars 5 and are split to provide forks that can be drawn together by meansof bolts I2 to grasp the cables. The inner faces of the forks are preferably grooved as shown in Fig. 6 for better engagement be frozen, the bottom plate having been lowered to the bottom of the casing by the ram and the intermediate plates being suspended from the top plate as hereiater described. In Fig. 2, the ram 4 has been operated to close the stack of plates toward the top whereby the interposed product is engaged on both sides and preferably compressed between the plates as it is frozen. In the formv shown, the minimum distance between the plates in closed position is limited by means of sp'acer bars 5 secured in any suitable manner as by welding to the side edges of the plates but of greater vertical dimensions so that they engage one another when the plates are completely closed.

Any suitable means can be provided for refrigerating the plates, and the drawings indicate diagrammatically an ammonia system comprising a liquid ammonia drum 9 and a supply header 1 which is connected to the plates by individual flexible hoses 8 shown in Fig. 3 but omitted fromV Figs. 1 and 2 in order to avoid obscuring the suspension means described hereinafter. After passing through the plates the ammonia is exhausted by similar iexible hoses 9 (Fig. 3) which extend upwardly to the drum 6 as shown in Fig. 2. A system of this type is shown for example in Davison Patent No. 2,329,746, dated September 21, 1943.

The suspension means comprises a suitable number of flexible wire ropes or cables I0, there being in the form shown four of these suspension cables one adjacent each corner of the stack of plates and the cables being preferably disl plates in open position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the plates are thus suspended one from another` in open position by the suspension members, but

as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, when the plates are with the cable and when the bolts I2 are tightened, they squeeze or compress the cable so as to elongate its cross section in a direction at right angles to the plane of flexure which as above noted is parallel to the end faces of the stack. Thus the cable naturally bends about its longer axis and in the desired plane. Forming of the bends in the desired direction by hand on the first closing of the stack may be suflicient to insure that the bends project toward the adjacent corners of the stack rather than toward the center of the stack. It is preferable, however, that the grooves in those forks which are nearest the corners of the stack be relieved or rounded off at top and bottom as shown at I3 in Fig. 7.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate another type of multi- I plate freezer which also is known in the art and need not be described in detail. Referring to Fig. 8, this freezer comprises a frame `or casing I5 in which are two vertical stacks of refrigerated plates I6. The -bottom plate of `each stack'is secured to the bottom of the casing in any suitalble manner, and the top plate of each stack is likewise secured to a platen I1 which is operated :by a hydraulic ram I8 mounted on the top of the machine. The left-hand stack is shown in closed position for freezing, and when freezing is completed, the ram I8 is operated tolift the platen I'I and open the stack as illustratedby the right-hand side of Fig. 8. In open position the intermediate plates of the stack are suspended from the top plate by suspension means described hereinafter. It will .he understood that any suitable means maybe provided for refrigerating the plates, said means being generally similar to those described above in connection with Figs. 1-3 but being omitted from Figs. 8 and 9 in order to avoid obscuring the details of the suspension means.

When the spacing between plates in closed position is small and the plates are relatively thin, the bends'in a suspension as described above become very sharp and when the weight of the plates prevents the use of cables of small cross section, there maybe premature breaking on continued opening and closing of the stacks. In such a case itmay be desirable, as illustrated in Figs.

8-12, to employ two or more parallel cables at l of smaller cables while at the same time decreasing the sharpness of the bands. While separate lengths of cable may Ibe employed for this purpose, it is convenient to provide a single continuous length of cable I9 which is doubled over a suitable clamp 20 whereby it is secured to the platen I1. As shown in Figs. 9 and l1, one end of the cable is'secured to the first plate I8, then to the third plate, etc., while the other end of the cable is secured to the second plate, then to the fourth plate, etc. In a freezer of the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9, moreover, it may be desirable to cause the cables to flex or bend outwardly away from the end faces of the stacks as shown in Figs. 8 and 12, and in that case the clamping means is designed so as to control the direction of flexure accordingly. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a suitable type of clamp for this purpose. The cable i9 is clamped against the face of a bar 2| extending across vthe end of the plate by means of the clamp 22 which is secured in place by bolts 23. The inner surface of the clamp member may be grooved at 24 to accommodate the cable I9, but the face of bar 2| is preferably left fiat. When the clamp is tightened, the cable is compressed and its cross section is elongated in a direction parallel to the end face of the stack so that its plane of iiexure is at right angles thereto. To insure that the lcables shall bend or flex outwardly away from the stack, the groove 24 of the clamping member is preferably relieved or rounded off at top and bottom as indicated at 25 in Fig. 14.

Figs. and 16 illustrate another suitable type of clamp comprising ar stud 26 inserted in a hole in the bar 2| and secured in position by a pin vindicated at 27, the stud having a collar 28 engaging the face of the lbar. The part 29 of the clamp-whichV projects outwardly from the collar 28 is split or forked to receive the cable, the outer surfaces of the forked ends being threaded to receive a clamping nut 30 whereby the cable is compressed against the face of the collar 28 at the bottom of the slit. The inner face of the nut 30 is rounded off at 3| to provide relief similar to that provided at 25 in Fig. 14 and to insure that the cable shall bend or ex outwardly from the end faces of the stacks.

Fig. 17 illustrates another form of flexible sus-a pension means in which a link chain 32 is employed in place of a wire rope or cable. With this type of suspension member, the plane of flexure is determined by the direction of the pivot axes v of the chain links. Where flexure corresponding ure shall take place outwardly away' from the ends of the stacks, means such as the leaf springs 33 may be provided which tend to occupy the full line position shown in Fig. 17 but are forced to the dotted line positions when the chains 32 are straightened by opening the plates. Thus when the plates are again closed, the springs initiate the ilexure of the chains in the proper direction.

Any suitable type of clamping means can be employed for attaching the chains 32 to the individual plates. In the form shown in Fig. 17, the clamp 3Q is secured to the -bar 2| .by means of bolts 35, thereby clamping the chain 32 to the plate. Preferably the chain links are of such type as to permit clamping at any desired points in their length.

It will be observed that the several forms of suspension means described above provide vfor suspending the plates one from another when the stack is in open position, but are capable of flexing intermediate their points of attachment to the individual plates to allow the plates to approach one another when the stack is closed. The points of attachment of the individual plates to the suspension members can be fixed accurately to provide uniform spacing since the plates may be clamped thereto at any desired point. Moreover, should it be desired to change the spacing of the plates, as in the case of products of different thicknesses, it is only necessary to adjust the spacing of the clamping points along the length of the suspension members which can readily be accomplished. Moreover, any error which might occur in the spacing of any two adjacent plates does not affect the position of the other plates in the stack.

It will also be seen that suspension means embodying the present invention are equally well adapted for either the top closing or the bottom closing type of freezer illustrated respectively by Figs. l-3 and Figs. 8 and 9. Operational dilculties and maintenance problems due to wear of sliding and rubbing connections are^eliminated, and accumulations of frost and ice have little or no effect on the operation of the machine, particularly with the wire rope or cable type of suspension means. The suspension means is easy to install and assemble, is light in weight and inexpensive, and because of the easy and convenient method of determining the spacing of the plates, it reduces labor and manufacturing costs.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that these embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that various changes may be made in the form, details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spiritv of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products between them, said plates being relatively separable to receive said products, means'for suspending said plates one from another when in separated position comprising suspension members extending between and rigidly connected to said plates, said suspension members being flexible and bending intermediate their adjacent points of connection to the plates to allow said plates to approach one another to engage said products, and means for controlling the direction of flexure of said members as the plates approach one another.

2. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products between them, said plates being relatively separable to receive said products, means for suspending said plates one from another when in separated position comprising flexible cables rigidly connected to said plates and adapted to bend intermediate their adjacent points of connection to the plates as said plates approach one another to engage said products, and means for controlling the direction of flexure of said cables as said plates approach one another.

3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and assente nection to tne plates and elongating their cross section in a direction at right angles to the deaired plane of bending.

4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality or substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products between them, said plates being relatively separable to receive said products, flexible cables rigidly connected to said plates for suspending them one from another when in separated position and adapted to bend intermediate their adjacent connections to the plates as the plates aproach one another, and clamps for connectsaid cables to the plates, said clamps comin prising gripping surfaces engaging the cables, the surfaces engaging the sides of the cables toward which the latter bend being of lesser extent in the direction of length of the cables than the remaining surfaces.

5. Reirigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products between them, said plates being relatively separable to receive said products, flexible cables rigidly connected to said plates for suspending them one from another when in separated position and adapted to bend intermediate their adjacent connections to the plates as the plates approach one another, and clamps for connecting said cables to the plates, said clamps having gripping surfaces flattening the cables in the region of their points of connection to the plates and elongating their cross section in a direction at right angles to the desired plane of flexure, said surfaces engaging the sides of the cables toward which the latter bend being of lesser` extent in the direction of length of the cables than the remaining surfaces.

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products between t em, said plates being relatively sepal rable to eceive said products and a plurality of suspension means located at a plurality of points around the stack of plates for suspending said plates one from another when in separated position, each of said means comprising a plurality of suspension members collectively connected to all plates of the stack but with each member rigidly attached to a series of non-adjacent plates and bending intermediate its adjacent points of connection to the plates to allow said plates to approach one another.

7. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially' horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another and adapted to engage and refrigerate products beitween them, said plates being relatively separable to receive said products, and a plurality of suspension means located at a plurality of points around the stack of plates for suspending said plates one from another when in separated position, each of said means comprising a pair of suspension members collectively connected to all plates of the stack but with each member rigidly attached to alternate plates and bending interrable to receive said products, and means for suspending said plates relative to one another when in separated position comprising 'a plurality of flexible suspension members collectively connected to all plates of the stack but with each member extending between and rigidly connected only to non-adjacent plates, said suspension members bending intermediate their adjacent points of connection to said non-adjacent plates to allow adjacent plates to approach one another to engage said products.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a frame, a stack ol' substantially horizontal refrigerated plates disposed vertically above one another within the frame, said plates lbeing relatively separablev to open the stack for insertion of products to be refrigerated between the plates and relatively approachable to close the stack for engagement and refrigeration of inserted products between the plates, and means for opening and closingr the stack comprising power means on the frame for moving one end plate of the stack between open and closed positions, the other end plate being connected to the frame and forming an abutment against which the stack is closed, and suspension members for suspending the plates one from another in separated position when the stack is opened, said members extending between and being rigidly connected to the plates and being flexible and bending intermediate their adjacent points of connection to the plates to allow said plates to approach one another when the stack is closed.

l0. Refrigerating apparatus as defined in claim 9, said flexible suspension members comprising wire cables.

. 11. Refrigerating apparatus as defined in claim 9, said suspension members extending the height of the stack and spaced around it to maintain 'the suspended plates in substantial parallelism, and connecting means for attaching the plates rigidly tothe suspension members at predetermined vertically spaced points to provide a predetermined spacing between adjacent plates when in separated suspended position.

12. Refrigerating apparatus as defined in clailn 11, said suspension members comprising wire cables and said connecting means comprising cable clamps attached to the plates.

BICKNELL HALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,370,045 Reinwald Mar. l, 1921 1,822,123 Birdseye et a1 Sept. 8, 1931 2,232,383 Greig Feb. 18, 1941 2,280,133 Sundbach Apr. 21, 1942 

